Widely known for her roles in Gremlins and Drop Dead Fred, Phoebe Cates left an indelible mark on film history with her topless poolside scene in the 1982 cult classic Fast Time on Ridgemont High.
But the former legendary actress changed direction nearly 20 years ago, and now has a meaningful 9-to-5 job that is her greatest love.
Born in the vibrant heart of New York City on July 16, 1963, Phoebe Belle Cates began her life attending private school and ballet classes at Juilliard. Born into a show business family, his father Joe Cates produced backstage shows, his older brother ran the Directors Guild, his older brother was a former actor, and his younger sister Valerie had the acting appeal that ran through her comes Improve your scene.
Phoebe’s first journey took her into the world of dance, but an untimely knee injury changed her career and led her to modeling at the age of 14. This successful move failed to ignite his passion and force him to expand his search for meaning and fulfillment.
Phoebe said of her short modeling career: “It was a repeat cycle, often financially motivated.”
Fate led her to a chance meeting with a film agent at New York’s famed Studio 54, which led to her training with Robert Ravan, the pioneering founder of The Actors’ Circle. Phoebe challenged the traditional academic path. “College was not my path.” Getting a foothold in the film industry seemed like an attractive way out of a dead end. “It’s true,” he told The Daily Item in a 1985 interview. His acting career began with H.B. Studio directed by Alice Spivak.
He debuted in the 1982 film Paradise. He’s had a busy year since, including roles in The Experienced and Fast Time Above Ridgemont, whose memorable pool scenes left a lasting impression on teen culture.
The film gained lasting fame, with Rolling Stone describing it as “the most unforgettable bikini drop in film history”. An assistant said that this scene makes the hearts of many teenagers beat faster than in reality. In 1982, Phoebe said of the script: “A girl who wants to have a career in this industry might have to expose her vulnerabilities.”
If you have it, why not look good? Starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz and Forest Whitaker, Fast Time on Ridgemont High created a comedic ensemble that has stood the test of time.
“We were very young when we made this movie,” Jennifer Jason Leigh said of the film’s impact. “The release of a film was a big moment and it became normal for the audience to repeat the lyrics in unison,” he told the Daily News.
Phoebe’s journey continued on stage with big screen appearances in Private School in 1983 and Steven Spielberg’s Gremlins in 1984. In 1983, while auditioning for the film “The Big Chill”, he met the famous theater genius Kevin Kline.
Although the role was not fulfilled, there was a love story in Pate’s work. Years later, Phoebe and Kevin’s romance blossoms despite their 16-year age difference, thanks to an elaborate plan by Klein’s former assistant to win her over.
Cates and Cline married in 1989, when Cates was 25 and Cline was 41, and they had two beautiful children, Owen Joseph in 1991 and Greta Simone in 1994. Since they have been married for 27 years, many people are interested in the secret of their long-term happiness.
Klein shared his knowledge. “We value marriage and meet its needs.”
Despite her growing fame, Phoebe chose to stay out of the limelight after having her children, a choice revealed in Playboy in 1998. She and her husband coordinated their performance commitments to ensure their children’s continued friendship.
Revealing their arrangement, Cline says Phoebe is willing to don the hat of a stay-at-home parent when it’s her turn to work. Although she worked alone, she was often seen sitting on the red carpet with her on-screen husband.
A new chapter began in 2005, when Phoebe opened the Blue Tree restaurant near the legendary Carnegie Hall. The store reflected her growing entrepreneurial spirit and offered a variety of merchandise, from perfume to clothing to personalized gifts.
Phoebe diligently fulfilled her role as a salesperson, investing in all aspects of the business, finding leads and always being proactive. Phoebe’s units now grace New York City’s Madison Avenue landscape, spanning Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Lest we forget, time could not extinguish Phoebe’s light. Her reputation is generally a hodgepodge of multiple roles, marked by vivid memories of scenes like the heavenly shower scene in Paradise and the memorable bikini interlude in Fast Time Above Ridgemont. As Phoebe’s story unfolds, her presence on and off screen represents artistic and personal growth.
